Jessica Ellis, Wayne Thomas running for judge in Honesdale-based district

The primary election on May 20 in Wayne County features one race for magisterial district judge in central Wayne County.

There are two candidates in District 22-03-02 vying for the six-year term starting in 2026: Jessica Ellis, a local attorney, and Wayne Thomas, a retired Pennsylvania state trooper.

Both have cross-filed to appear on the Republican and Democratic ballots.

Ted Mikulak, who served in this post from 2010 to 2015 before resuming his heating and plumbing contractor trade, had announced his intention to run, but told the Tri-County Independent he felt his "heart was not in it" and instead was endorsing Thomas. Mikulak had not filed his necessary petition with the Wayne County Bureau of Elections.

The vacancy for district judge occurred Aug. 23, 2024, when Judge Kay Bates retired before her term was finished. The remaining two district judges in Wayne County, Judge Bonnie Carney (22-3-01) and Judge Jonathan Dunsinger (22-3-04) have handled the caseload.

District 22-03-02, based in Honesdale, covers Canaan, Cherry Ridge, South Canaan and Texas townships, and the boroughs of Honesdale, Prompton and Waymart.

March 11 was the deadline for candidates to file. The voter registration deadline is May 5.

Jessica Ellis

Ellis is partner in the Ellis Law Group in Honesdale with her husband Brandon Ellis and has served as an assistant district attorney since April 2022 with the Wayne County District Attorney's Office. She is also the solicitor for Wayne County Human Services.

"Our community deserves a judge whose court reflects the values of Wayne County: hard work, respect for others, and fairness," she said in a press release. "I will be that judge."

"I look forward to meeting as many people as I can leading up to the election and will keep my pages updated with opportunities to get together," Ellis said in the release. "I am passionate about my family and building our life here in Wayne County. As a lifelong resident, I’ve been deeply involved in our community. My record in public service, in my law practice, and in my family demonstrates my commitment to integrity, fairness and hard work."

The candidate continued, "I humbly ask for your vote because the district deserves a magistrate judge who understands the unique needs of its residents and their values."

Her current community involvement, according to her website, includes being a member of Honesdale Area Jaycees, head coach of Honesdale High School junior varsity softball, vice president of the Wayne County Attorney Bar Association and Honesdale High School mock trial coach. She is also volunteer coach for the Honesdale Missy Basketball Program and for 25 years has been a Central United Methodist Church Bell Choir member.

She graduated from Honesdale High School in 2005, Moravian University in Bethlehem in 2009 and from law school at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 2013.

She and her husband are parents of two sons, Leland, 4 and Wyatt, 2.

Her campaign website is jessforjudge.com and her Facebook page is Jess for Judge: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568305950315.

Wayne Thomas

Wayne Thomas, of Prompton, received an honorable discharge in in 2016 after serving 25 years with the Pennsylvania State Police. He worked in both the patrol and criminal investigation units. He is currently serving as a Western Wayne School District police officer.

His career in law enforcement, he states in a press release, helped him develop "strong professional working relationships" with numerous county district attorney offices, public defender offices, magistrate offices, children and youth agencies, multi-disciplinary teams, school administrators and teachers, other regional law enforcement agencies and the many attorneys who interact within the court system.

"He knows the administration procedures of an MDJ office and courtroom, and has fulfilled the required Minor Judiciary Education Certification," the release states.

"He leads by example and demands and gets respect from the students… His job gives him the ability to assist students in career paths, while being a role model, and even teaching classes of students about various aspects of his job," his press release states.

“I made the decision to run for magistrate because I am passionate about upholding the rule of law and ensuring that everyone has access to fair and impartial justice," Thomas said in the release. "I believe that the most important qualities of a successful magistrate are integrity, ethics, impartiality, and a deep commitment to public service.”

Thomas continued, "When I can be a part of someone making a right decision to fix a wrong one, especially our children, it makes my life, and all that I have done, and do today, worth it! Fairness is an absolute necessity in a courtroom!"

His Facebook page is Wayne for Judge: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573245905274.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Jessica Ellis, Wayne Thomas running for magisterial district judge